Groups

We have run several groups in the past, including an art workshop, a creative writing & poetry group and an Empowerment and Healing project, and hope to be able to run these groups again in future. The women who have taken part in our groups have told us how rewarding it was to meet other women who were able to understand their experiences and become lifelong friends. They have said that it helped them feel less alone and even made it easier to let go of negative coping strategies.

We are running a new group at the moment called Outside the Box, which is a personal development and Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) programme for young people at higher risk of sexual exploitation. It consists of 8 group sessions, 75 minutes long, for a group of up to eight 11-18 year olds.

Outside the Box was designed to help young people:

Reduce risky behaviour

Identify and manage safe boundaries in relationships, by increasing their level of awareness of what constitutes a respectful/abusive relationship and confidence to negotiate safe boundaries within relationships

Increase understanding of their rights within sexual relationships

Improve their awareness and ability to identify individuals and organisations they can approach for help locally

If you have any questions about these or any future groups, please contact us for more information.

You may find it surprisingly helpful and rewarding to be a part of a group, even if it does sound a little bit intimidating at first. The other women in the group can become part of your ongoing support network and previous groups have described making lifelong friends with the other group members.

It is especially helpful to hear how other women have approached different problems in their lives, as it can provide different perspectives. It might feel like you’re the only one struggling and it can be a relief to realise that you’re not alone in how you feel.

Anyone who defines as a woman will be offered the use of any support groups we may run. In line with Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre’s current policy on women-only space, anyone who does not identify as a woman will not be offered group support, however every effort will be made to identify appropriate support groups for trans men and non-binary trans people.

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Testimonials

[I valued] having the time and a safe space to work through the things that scare me most and face difficult thoughts and feelings. This has made a massive difference and changed my life immeasurably.

It has helped me talk to friends, talk to my partner and made those relationships stronger as well as helping me understand and forgive myself for things that happened in the past.

Counselling has had a massive influence on me and get through one of the most difficult times of my life so far. [My counsellor] has been amazing and taught me how to trust again, deal with my feelings in a more positive and productive way & I am so incredibly grateful for being given this time and support.

Counselling has helped me understand and come to terms with my situation.

[Having an ISVA] made me feel relieved of the pressure of reporting on my own, meaning I had more brain power/capacity to do other fulfilling things.

Thank you so much for all the help & support you've given me.

Non-judgemental, honest caring people who have been with us every step of the way.

I was very happy with the support I received. It was just the right amount of understanding without feeling patronised.

[I valued] being understood and believed. Not judged.

I only received counselling, but that was what I wanted and needed.

[It helped] to have someone listen and believe what I say.

I have had such amazing support; I can't thank you enough.

I was able to talk to someone openly and not feel judged in any way.

Being believed, understood, accepted and getting challenged so that I could go on the journey towards living with freedom. Freedom of thought, emotion and action.

The feeling of isolation has subsided, just knowing there's someone who understands has made it easier to cope.

Talking with my therapist […] was really helpful for many aspects of my life.

[My counselling was] non-judgemental, [a] safe space to talk and cry.

There have been no intrusive questions. I don't have to mention details, which make me feel uncomfortable. Everyone is understanding and really friendly. I value that the support is free and in such a nice environment. Everyone believes you.

[Counselling gave me a] more positive outlook on life in general and me feeling that you able to control how you deal with any situation that's thrown at you, even if you have no control over the situation itself. I also have a higher sense of self-belief.

I feel more confident in talking about my problems instead of hiding them.

It was a way to express emotions in a safe environment.

The support I have received has really helped me and I am very grateful [...] it has been a massive help and I will be holding onto the positive outlook it has helped me to get hold of as much as I can.